Organic Synthesis

Organic Synthesis:

• Organic synthesis is the constructive process of creating complex molecules from simpler ones, involving the formation and breaking of covalent bonds.

• It is primarily used in developing new compounds and medications or studying their properties.

• Mechanisms of reactions involve several steps, each having its own transition state and intermediates. Understanding these steps is crucial for designing a synthetic route.

• Common steps in organic transformations include substitution, addition and elimination reactions.

• Arrow pushing or electron pushing is often used to depict the flow or movement of electrons in molecules during a reaction.

• A reaction mechanism must obey the laws of mass conservation and the principles of charge conservation.

• Catalysis assists in organic synthesis by speeding up the rate of reactions and often making reactions feasible under mild conditions.

• Organic synthesis often uses protective groups to safeguard functional groups that might be affected during a reaction. After the reaction, these groups are removed.

• Reagents are substances used in chemical reactions to bring about chemical change. They are often organic or inorganic compounds.

• Transitions metals, particularly palladium and platinum, are often used as catalysts in the organic synthesis reactions.

• Chiral compounds and the study of stereochemistry play a significant role in organic synthesis as the desired product may often exist as one of many possible optical isomers.

• The synthesis of large and complex molecules often requires a multi-step synthesis, with each step aimed at installing a particular functional group or constructing a specific part of the target molecule.

• It’s essential to consider the yield of a reaction, its feasibility under laboratory conditions, and the availability and cost of starting materials when designing a synthetic route for a target molecule.

• Retrosynthetic analysis is a problem-solving technique used to transform the structure of a synthetic target molecule to a sequence of progressively simpler structures along a pathway which ultimately leads to simple or commercially available starting materials for a chemical synthesis.

• Green chemistry principles advocate for the design of procedures that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances to protect human health and the environment. It emphasizes a reduction in waste production, using renewable feedstock, reducing energy consumption etc.